July 18, 2012. On Monday, The Huffington Post featured an article focusing upon the recent rebirth of the historic Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock. The article comes as one of many appearances in national press that the local landmark has received of late, and it highlights the newfound success the iconic hotel.

Throughout its storied past, the Green Park Inn has been no stranger to success. Since its opening in 1891, the “Legendary Grand Dame of The High Country” has lodged many historical figures including Annie Oakley, J.D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. Margaret Mitchell also stayed there and even “penned part of ‘Gone With the Wind’ while a guest of the hotel.” The Inn was also awarded a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and remains North Carolina’s second oldest operating resort hotel.

By 2010 however, the hotel was in shambles and seemed destined to be torn down. Thankfully however, the Inn was purchased and restored by brothers Eugene and Steven Irace. These two hotel “affection-ados” repaired the Green Park Inn’s infrastructure and refurnished and modernized its rooms. Now, not only is the landmark once again a beautiful testament to the “Grand Manor” hotel style, but it is also available (and affordable) to the public. The hotel also boasts public areas, the Broyhill Room and the Blue Ridge Room, as well as the Laurel Room Restaurant.

Now that the Inn has been given new life, its proprietors and staff hope that tourists and guests will stay there and continue to keep its history alive and thriving. Whether taking in the fine dining, having a drink at the Divide bar (which straddles the Eastern Continental Divide), attending one of the many weekly events or simply lodging for the night, there are many ways for locals and travelers alike to enjoy Green Park Inn.

For more information about The Green Park Inn, visit their website at greenparkinn.com.